Is “Friendly Rivalry” Popular In Korea?

If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent way too much time wondering which K-dramas are actually Korea-approved. Are we all collectively freaking out over the same shows? Or are my international friends and I just screaming into the void while Korea gives a polite nod to Friendly Rivalry? Are we all freaking out over the same shows?

Some dramas explode globally. Meanwhile, Korea just collectively shrugs.

And honestly? It leaves me wondering—are we even watching the same show, or is my drama taste just built differently? Because sometimes, what the rest of us are losing our minds over is just another Tuesday for Korean viewers.

So where does Friendly Rivalry land? Is it a smash hit in Korea, or just another drama living its best life overseas? Is it a smash hit in its home country, or is it one of those dramas that global audiences adore while Korea shrugs? Let’s dig in.

Is Friendly Rivalry Winning Over Korea?

The moment Friendly Rivalry dropped on February 10, 2025, I knew one thing. My weekend plans? Officially canceled.

This drama started stirring up buzz faster than a chaebol heir dramatically storming out of a boardroom with nothing but a disapproving father and a suitcase. The drama debuted at #1 on U+Mobile TV and U+TV.

Clearly, Korean viewers were intrigued right from the start. It didn’t just start strong. It’s kept people hooked.

Clearly, Korean viewers were intrigued right from the start. It didn’t just start strong. It’s kept people hooked.

It might not be pulling The Glory-level ratings. But Friendly Rivalry has locked down a fanbase so dedicated, I wouldn’t be surprised if they had group chats strategizing like it’s an actual high school political thriller.

The show thrives on streaming platforms, where younger audiences—especially those into psychological thrillers and intense school dramas—are tuning in week after week.

Korean Viewers Spill The Tea

Korean audiences are treating Friendly Rivalry like a full-blown K-drama relationship crisis. Some are fully invested.

Others? Standing outside in the rain, questioning everything.

Some fans are completely hooked, while others are side-eyeing the pacing like it owes them an apology.

Fans can’t get enough of the gripping storytelling, the ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ power shifts, and Lee Hye-ri and Chung Soo-bin serving up performances that hit harder than a last-minute plot twist. Fans who live for slow-burn thrillers say it’s giving Penthouse and Sky Castle energy.

Every look? A second too long.

Every whispered conversation? A potential game-changer in the power hierarchy. It could alter the power hierarchy.

However, not everyone is sold. Some Korean viewers have noted that the pacing can be too slow at times, and a few have pointed out that the power struggles feel repetitive.

Despite this, the show’s steady word-of-mouth buzz has kept it growing, proving that even mixed opinions aren’t stopping it from gaining traction.

Is Friendly Rivalry The Talk Of The Town?

So, is Friendly Rivalry actually making waves, or am I just out here hyping it up like a sleep-deprived K-drama addict on a binge-watching spree?

(Spoiler: It’s definitely making waves.) Oh, absolutely. But has it hit Squid Game status where people are reenacting scenes in real life? Not yet. But honestly? Give it time, and I fully expect fans to start staging power moves in Seoul’s study cafes like they’re auditioning for season two.

While it may not have become a full-blown cultural phenomenon, Friendly Rivalry has generated consistent online discussions, particularly on platforms like Naver and Twitter.

While it may not have become a full-blown cultural phenomenon, Friendly Rivalry has generated consistent online discussions, particularly on platforms like Naver and Twitter.

Korean viewers have been diving deep into the show’s psychological warfare, decoding the unspoken power hierarchies, and dissecting how jeong—a uniquely Korean concept of deep emotional attachment—plays into the shifting dynamics between the characters.

But here’s what really stands out.

This drama has sparked renewed conversations about South Korea’s brutal academic culture—something non-Korean viewers might not realize is deeply rooted in reality.

The high-pressure, cutthroat environment of elite schools in Friendly Rivalry isn’t just dramatic flair—it’s a reflection of Korea’s education system, where a student’s future can hinge on a single exam.

The concept of hakbeol (school ties) plays a huge role in networking, meaning students aren’t just competing for grades—they’re fighting for their social and professional futures, too.

Why Is Friendly Rivalry Bigger Overseas?

Korea is giving Friendly Rivalry the respectful nod of approval, but internationally? I swear, I’ve seen fans analyzing every micro-expression like it’s a final exam question.

It’s thriving like a second lead who finally, finally got the girl and didn’t have to spend half the show staring longingly into the distance.

International K-drama lovers have fully embraced the show’s slow-burn psychological tension, intense rivalries, and dark, mysterious storytelling.

This isn’t unusual. Some K-dramas, like Alchemy of Souls and The King: Eternal Monarch, were massive global hits despite receiving lukewarm domestic reception. Friendly Rivalry seems to be following a similar trajectory—popular in Korea, but thriving internationally thanks to its unique storytelling style.

So, Is Friendly Rivalry A Smash Hit Or A Slow Burn?

While it’s not breaking every viewership record, Friendly Rivalry has solidified its place as a strong performer with a loyal audience. It’s generating buzz, keeping viewers engaged, and fueling discussions about power, ambition, and the pressures of elite academia.

Will Friendly Rivalry age into legendary status? Like a perfectly aged batch of kimchi? Or will it be that one drama we all kinda liked … but eventually forgot?

Personally? My money’s on the kimchi aging into pure gold.

This drama has that slow-burn magic that sneaks up on you before you even realize you’re fully invested. This drama has all the ingredients to go from ‘pretty good’ to ‘why didn’t more people watch this?!’

Only time will tell if Friendly Rivalry will go down as an underrated gem or a sleeper hit that grows into something even bigger.

So tell me, are you glued to Friendly Rivalry like the rest of us? Do you think it deserves even more hype in Korea? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for all the latest K-drama updates!